The Grand Junction Chamber’s 2026 Election Guide is now available ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. It brings together candidate perspectives, explanations of ballot measures, and the Chamber’s positions in one resource for readers preparing to vote. As President & CEO Candace Carnahan shares in her opening letter, the realities of running a…
Last week’s Quarterly Membership Luncheon brought nearly 100 attendees together to celebrate local business expansions and hear directly from candidates seeking offices that influence our business environment. Together, the recognitions and conversation underscored how closely business growth and public policy are connected. The Chamber recognized seven businesses and organizations whose expansions represent $33,475,000 in investment…
A few weeks ago, I wrote about Colorado’s dramatic slide in national business competitiveness rankings and the warning signs our state can no longer afford to ignore. Recently, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce continued that conversation by co-hosting hosting a Colorado Competitiveness Roundtable in partnership with the Governor’s Office, the Colorado Office of…
When most people think of advocacy, they picture testimony at the State Capitol or meetings with elected officials. While those moments matter, some of the most important conversations happen long before legislation is debated or rules are finalized. Recently, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed Chairman Eric Blank and Director Rebecca White from…
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Department of Labor contacted the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce because of the Chamber’s work championing industry-led solutions to one of the most pressing challenges facing employers today: attracting, developing, and retaining skilled talent. Through initiatives like West Slope Works, apprenticeship expansion, sector partnerships, and the intentional convening of…
Celebrating Ag Awareness Week March 14th-24th Long before Grand Junction had a modern business ecosystem, it had an industry that ignited the valley. Agriculture. During Ag Awareness Week, I find myself reflecting on that history and the role agriculture has played in shaping our community. As the CEO of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of…
Before the sun rose over the Bookcliffs last week, nearly 60 Mesa County business leaders boarded a bus in the dark, navigating the largest winter storm of 2026 to make a clear statement: Western Colorado’s voice belongs in the rooms where decisions are made. Our annual Legislative Days at the Capitol is not ceremonial. It…
As we approach the one-month mark of Colorado’s legislative session, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce (Grand Junction Chamber) is increasingly focused on what early proposals signal for the long-term business climate in Western Colorado. While many bills are still in their early stages, their direction matters. For businesses in our region, where markets…
As the 2026 Colorado Legislative Session unfolds, one thing is already clear: despite early conversations about a nearly $1 billion projected budget shortfall, the pace and volume of legislation impacting Colorado employers has not slowed. If anything, the session is already off to a fast start. At the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, we are…
On Monday night, our Chamber joined community stakeholders, elected officials, and generations of agricultural producers for the unveiling of the newly released Economic Impact of Agriculture in Western Colorado. The room itself told a story before a single data point was shared. Producers whose families have worked the land for decades sat alongside policymakers, business…